The Heights by Great Men Reached
 
1. The heights by great men reached and kept 
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were rising up before the light. 
 
2. We rise by things beneath our feet;
By mastery of good and gain;
By vanquished ills we hourly meet,
By pride deposed and passion slain. 
 
3. All common things, each day's events,
That with the hour begin and end,
Our pleasures and our discontents,
Are rounds by which we may ascend.